Leicester 1-0 Everton: Foxes go top in hard-fought win

Leicester remain unbeaten and top the Women’s Super League after a hard-fought but deserved 1-0 win against Everton at the King Power Stadium.

Lena Petermann scored the only goal of the game with a neat finish after 69 minutes following an excellent through-ball by the game’s outstanding player, Sam Tierney.

Midfielder Tierney, who signed a new two-year deal with the Foxes last week, was at the heart of everything positive that Leicester did as Willie Kirk’s team followed up their opening-day win at Bristol City with victory in front of their home fans.

Despite their dominance, Leicester were thankful for former Bayern Munich goalkeeper Janina Leitzig on several occasions. Leitzig impressed last season on loan and signed a permanent deal this summer.

She was called into action in first-half stoppage time to save a penalty from Justine Vanhaevermaet and the follow-up effort too. And early in the second half she was quick off her line to thwart Emma Bissell as Everton looked to take the lead.

The Toffees were on top after Petermann’s strike and thought they had snatched a point in the 84th minute as Lucy Hope’s cross was bundled in by Bissell but the offside flag came to Leicester’s rescue.

While Leicester will be delighted to pick up another three points, Everton still await their first win of the season.

It could have been very different if the Toffees had taken their chances. After withstanding Leicester’s dominance in the first half it was visitors who almost went into the break in front.

The lively Bissell was brought down by Josie Green in first-half stoppage time and from the free-kick her strike partner Martina Piemonte was hauled to the ground by Leicester skipper Aileen Whelan for a penalty.

However, Belgium international Vanhaevermaet’s spot-kick was saved by Leitzig and from the rebound the keeper pulled off an even better stop to ensure the game remained goalless at half-time.

The home side should really have been in front by that point, though, with the front three of Petermann, Missy Goodwin and Shannon O’Brien causing chaos in the Everton defence.

Wingers O’Brien and Goodwin created numerous chances for Petermann, who was foiled on each occasion by timely Everton blocks.

Petermann’s best chance came after just seven minutes when she robbed Everton goalkeeper Emily Ramsey but could not find the target from a tight angle.

With games against both Manchester clubs next on the WSL fixture list for Leicester tougher challenges await, but after struggling for much of last season the future under Kirk seems much brighter.